Reusable sleeve for a beverage container

Abstract

A storable, reusable-insulating sleeve for a beverage container that provides insulation to the user from hot or cold beverages. The improved sleeve maintains insulation of hot temperatures approximately five and ten degrees higher for a thirty-minute interval, than, for example, cardboard counterpart sleeves. The improved sleeve comprises an integral storage-securing mechanism for storing the sleeve in a compact form. The compact form can easily fit into a pocket, purse, car glove compartment or desk drawer. The sleeve is made of various fabrics and is therefore reusable. Further, a pocket contained in the sleeve will accommodate a prepaid card or a key, for storage, transport and gift giving.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 655,807 filed Feb. 23, 2005, where this provisional application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present disclosure is directed toward devices and systems for insulating beverage cups. [0004] 2. Description of the Related Art [0005] The prepared beverage market is a booming phenomenon. Leading the market in the prepared beverages is prepared coffee sales. During the past 14 years the number of coffee shops has grown 7,900 percent in the United States alone, and is a $7.22 billion market. One of the leading coffee providers serves up 30,000,000 beverages weekly. More than half of the United States population purchases specialty coffee products on an occasional basis, with 16 percent purchasing every day. This phenomenon has created a new “coffe...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0014] In one aspect, a storable, reusable sleeve is a more ecological and fashionable alternative to disposable cup sleeves. The sleeve grips the cup more comfortably and effectively, while providing measurably more insulation. The improved insulation allows the beverage to maintain its hot temperature between five and ten degrees higher for a thirty-minute interval than, for example, the cardboard counterparts. An alternative embodiment provides a card pocket, enabling the user to store and carry cards such as a prepaid card, credit card, debit card, and / or identity card conveniently together with the sleeve. This becomes a natural packaging extension for gifts and promotion of prepaid cards.

[0015] In another aspect, the storable insulating sleeve has several advantages over the prior approaches. The sleeve provides a more effective insulator for heat or cold. The sleeve comprises an integral storage-securing mechanism for storing the sleeve in a compact form. The compact form can easily fit into a pocket, purse, car glove compartment or desk drawer. The sleeve is reusable; and will accommodate a prepaid card or a key, for storage, transport and / or gift giving.

[0017] In a further aspect, the sleeve further comprises a sewn-in elastic loop on the vertical seam. The elastic loop can be used on either side of the sleeve and enables the product to be rolled up, making it more compact for storage between uses. An alternative use for the elastic loop is to attach the sleeve to the consumer, such as a ponytail holder, bracelet or anklet.

[0019] The storable, reusable sleeve's fashion appeal motivates consumers to “want” to use them, and their thermal function serves a consumer's “need”—as do the card pockets and roll-up features. The end result is measurably less paper waste going into the landfills.

Problems solved by technology

No other known frusto-conical shaped sleeve performs all of these functions and no other cup sleeve incorporates personalized fashion into the consumer experience.

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